 | Josh Jabara is Sales Manager of hard surface flooring at Jabara’s Carpet Outlet. After attending WSU, the family business became a large part of Josh’s adult life. His father Tom, mother Susan, and his uncle George assisted in that endeavor to a large degree. Perhaps one of Josh’s greatest strengths is his hands-on approach. Josh can be reach by calling (316) 267-2512 or you may visit their website @ www.jabaras.com |
Carpet, Tile & Floor Covering
2008-12-01 14:57:00
Tips for decorating
Answer: In any decorating scheme, color is usually the first and most important element. The mood, tone and function of a room are influenced by the dominant colors that it contains. And likewise, the colors used in a room set its general ambiance. Nothing shows a professional touch in a room like the creative use of color and today’s decorator is fortunate in having a virtual rainbow of color options in carpeting.
Many decorators consider the floor the “fifth wall” in a room and its color is as important as those of the walls, window treatments, or furniture. A good choice in carpet color can make the rest of the decorating job easy and satisfying.
Colors fall into three general areas – hot, cool and neutral. Hot colors, like red, orange, or the popular “neon” tones, create a livelier, exciting feeling and elicit a more active emotional response. Hot colors are popular for flooring in family rooms, kitchens and casual entertaining areas. Cool colors, like pale greens and blues, suggest a more restful, serene environment and are frequently used in more formal rooms and bedrooms. Neutral colors, such as off-whites, beiges, grays, work both ways because they compliment other colors in a room’s decorating scheme and are appropriate carpet choices for any room of the house.
The color you choose for a room’s carpet may be dictated by the room itself. Small or narrow rooms and rooms with low ceilings will appear more spacious with a neutral carpet that subtly blends with the wall color. A large or disproportionate room will become cozier when carpeted in a strong color that contrasts with the wall. Darker carpets will make the walls seem taller; lighter carpets will capture more light. By making the right carpet color choice, you can enhance the positive features of your room and compensate for architectural shortcomings.
The endless options of colors in carpeting are a blessing, but a blessing that should be carefully managed. First, always examine the carpet in a variety of lights. What looks like a pearly gray under fluorescent light at your carpet retailer may become a darker pewter color when installed in a long hall with a small amount of natural light. Examine the carpet sample in the room where it will be used in the daylight and at night. Also, place it in the center of the room, against a window wall and in a dark corner. By doing this, you should be able to get an accurate sense of how the carpet will look in the room under all lighting conditions.
Also, avoid “matching” colors. More often, rooms are successfully decorated when they blend colors and tones rather than match them. Wheat colored carpeting, putty colored walls and eggshell ceilings will create a more pleasing flow of surface colors than everything done in beige.
And be mindful of manufacturer’s names for carpet colors. One manufacturer’s “hunter green” may be another’s “autumn clover” and there are more “navy blues” than there are navies in the world! Use your eye, not the description and you won’t be disappointed in your selections. Keep in mind that you may be living with your color choice for years. The color that puts a spark in your eye today may cause you to grimace in a few months – be sure to think “long term” when choosing your carpet color.
